No Equipment Necessary: Side Plank Leg Lift


Updated 05/26/10 11:19 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

Side Plank Leg Lift

I love exercises that work multiple areas of my body; challenging moves never bore. Plus, you can feel the benefits of core strength work almost immediately. This variation on the side plank targets your shoulders, waist, abs, back, outer thighs, and glute meds (the gluteal muscle on the side of the pelvis that helps stabilize your hip joint). Learn the details when you read more Read more

Take Your Elbow Plank For a Walk


Updated 11/10/08 8:31 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 8 comments

Take Your Elbow Plank For a Walk

When you're working out, getting to the core of the matter doesn't always mean being static. Yes, holding an elbow plank will work your core, but to really fire it up, take those elbow planks for a walk. The challenge of moving your body forward and backward, as well as side to side, works your abs, back, and arms nicely. Plus it is more functional, meaning when you add motion to your planks, the Read more

No Equipment Necessary: Plank on Elbows


Updated 03/23/09 12:13 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 24 comments

Plank on Elbows

The Plank is a great way to work your abs, arms, and back. All you need in order to do this version of the plank is your own body weight. Here's how you do it: Get face down on the floor resting on your forearms and knees. Push off the floor, raising up off your knees onto your toes and resting mainly on your elbows. Contract your abdominals to keep yourself up and prevent your booty from Read more

At Home Fitness Test: Core Strength


Updated 12/28/09 6:46 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 27 comments

At Home Fitness Test: Core Strength

It is good to assess your fitness level from time to time. It helps you stay well rounded in your workout life. One element that is important no matter if you are a runner, snowboarder, or into lifting weights, is core strength. You need to have a strong and stable torso regardless of your favorite form of exercise. To test your core strength is simple, and you can do it home; all you need is a Read more

Multitasking Move: Arms and Abs


Updated 02/07/10 7:22 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

I love multitasking, about this I cannot lie. I really love a multitasking exercise. Arms and abs are often what brides want to work in their pre-wedding Pilates sessions. Well, here are 2 types of elbow planks to get the job done, and they are not just for brides. Planks are a great way to get your body bikini ready. Elbow Plank Hold for 30 seconds Pull your abs up toward the ceiling, Read more

Torch Calories and Tone With This Circuit Workout


Updated 05/15/12 8:24 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Full-Body Circuit Workout From Equinox Trainer

What's not to love about circuit training? Combining heart-pumping elements of cardio with strength-training moves means you torch calories while toning muscles. It's just so efficient. Here's a fun yet challenging circuit workout I did recently with my Equinox trainer Lauren. The workout has you performing each exercise for a minute, which means you need to keep a stopwatch handy, but you have Read more

Learn to Love the VersaClimber With This Short Workout


Updated 04/30/12 9:20 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

What to Do on VersaClimber Cardio Machine

No doubt you've seen the VersaClimber at your gym — that tall piece of equipment, lurking in the corner behind the more popular cardio machines. But the VersaClimber's unpopularity is also its saving grace: there is never anyone using it, so you hop on it without a wait. Since the machine is often empty, you can also use it to add short bursts of cardio to your circuit training sets, just like Read more

5 Ways to Challenge Your Tree Pose


Updated 04/27/12 3:53 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Tree Pose Variations For Arbor Day

In celebration of Arbor Day this Friday, I can't help but think about the peaceful and majestic Tree pose. If you've mastered the basic pose already, here are some ways to challenge your Tree. Arch: When doing the traditional Tree pose, balancing your torso straight over your standing leg allows you to stack your bones on top of each other to create a stable pose. Make balancing on one leg Read more

Get Bikini Season-Ready With the Up-Down Plank


Updated 04/23/12 10:15 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 6 comments

Core Exercise: Up-Down Plank Variation

We all know that the plank is the perfect core exercise. We also know that we need to switch up our fitness routines to prevent the plateau and boredom. Here's one of my fave variations on the traditional exercise that has you moving between the basic plank and an elbow plank. Add this move into your fitness routine to tone your arms and work your center. Just make sure to do this on a padded Read more